Australia post record T20I 263/3 against Sri Lanka

Pallekele (Sri Lanka), Sep 6 (IANS) Glenn Maxwell’s 145 unbeaten in just 65 deliveries powered Australia to the highest total in Twenty20 international cricket — 263/3 in 20 overs against Sri Lanka in the first match here on Tuesday.

Most of the pain for the home side came from the bat of Maxwell who crashed a stunning 145 not out — second highest individual score in T20I — including nine sixes, as the visitors passed the world record of 6-260 set by Sri Lanka in 2007 against Kenya.

Australia’s opening partnership of David Warner and Maxwell set the tone, and the latter brought up the 50 partnership with a reverse sweep for six in the fifth over.

Warner soon fell for 28 but Maxwell continued the onslaught and Australia passed 100 from 9.3 overs.

Maxwell reached 50 off 27 deliveries, doing so with trademark flourish by thrashing a massive 90-metre six down the ground.

Maxwell passed his previous best of 75 and earned a reprieve one run later when he was caught on the boundary, only for Chamara Kapugedera to touch the boundary with his foot — resulting in another six.

Australia put on 97 for the second wicket before Usman Khawaja fell for 36 off 22.

Maxwell continued his onslaught bringing up his ton off 49 balls, just four off world-record pace.

The Victorian hit three consecutive sixes in the 17th over and briefly looked set to overhaul Aaron Finch’s world record of 156.

Travis Head helped Australia pass the world record of 6-260 set in 2007, before being out off the last ball of the innings for 45 in just 18 deliveries.